Billy Corgan Defends Marilyn Manson Friendship and Questions Critics in New York Times Interview

Billy Corgan’s new interview on The New York Times Popcast is less a victory lap than a negotiation with the press. The Smashing Pumpkins frontman arrives during a busy period for the band: an arena tour marking the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, a reunion with producer Butch Vig on “Black Stars” for the Hunger Games soundtrack, and a Lollapalooza appearance with Olivia Rodrigo. He uses the conversation to ask critic Jon Caramanica whether his work has been fairly assessed by “your critical class,” and to compare himself to Kanye West while airing resentment toward “the hipster writer class.”

The interview also turns to Marilyn Manson, who has faced numerous sexual assault accusations. Corgan remains close to Manson, who attended his birthday party last year. Corgan said he did not personally believe Manson was guilty of the charges, noting that the district attorney reviewed the case